Winter is coming and I have all things polar on my mind. I can't help it. I think it's a chemical reaction to the change of seasons. Preparing. We have our parkas pulled out and I have begun the task of making sure everyone has warm boots, coats, toques, scarves, ski pants and mittens for the appoaching snow.
Being organized is not really one of my strong suits... but I have a bit of a system for making sure that the girls keep their fingers warm. I buy 10 pairs of the same mittens. Multiples of everything. Actually, that is not a lie. I bought 10 pairs of the same mittens last year and we have 4 single left hand mitts left. That is weird, but that's what happens. Things get lost, forgotten, wet, ripped, thrown overboard. Poet (especially) insists on throwing her mitts off and that resulted me putting Dan's knee high sports socks on her hands (stretched all the way to her shoulders) under her snow suit. And over it. Too bad, baby. The house rules are love, love, love AND don't even think about taking your mitts off outside*. I don't think that is a snazzy phrase you will see framed on Pinterest, but it keeps everyone with their extremities. (*Applicable October through April only.)
*
Here's a peek at a painting I just finished. If you follow me on Instagram (@kalbarteski) then you saw this one come together. The canvas is big (48 by 48 inches) and I couldn't get back far enough to get a shot in proper proportion. Or without glare from the window (as seen in the bottom right corner of the image). But you get the idea... it's a polar bear cub. All things polar. I've been thinking about this one for a while. I could say more - he's isolated, centered and on blue instead of the typical snowy background. Vulnerable. And the falling snow gets me every time. I think he will make an appearance in my ARTSHOP next week as a print.
Today: I'm still working on some ideas + techniques so I will be painting my brains out until I get where I'm going. Loud music + coffee.
GO!
